Chapter 114

Windsor Castle

In a quaint little restaurant filled with leisurely elegance, a noble and dignified elderly gentleman sat at the moment. His hair, streaked with silver and interwoven with strands of gold, was elegantly gathered into a bun at the back, revealing a broad, full forehead. A faint smile graced the corners of his mouth as he gazed at the woman seated opposite him.

The woman possessed a cascade of golden curls, loosely draped over her slender back. Her fair skin gleamed with the soft radiance of milk, and her large, expressive sea-blue eyes lent her the ethereal beauty of an angel painted on the restaurant’s semi-circular domed ceiling. At this moment, she returned the older man’s gaze with an elegant smile.

“How are matters progressing? I hope you won’t disappoint me, my dear Avril,” the noble elder spoke gracefully, though the content of his words held no trace of refinement.

“Rest assured, everything is under control, my esteemed Queen,” the woman replied with a poised smile, flawless in every way.

Indeed, these two were none other than Her Most Honorable Majesty the Queen and Miss Avril.

“I suppose young people prefer excitement to staying indoors. Especially a beautiful and graceful girl should enjoy the fresh air outside. Perhaps it would be better if a handsome young gentleman accompanied her,” the Queen said to Avril with profound meaning, a deep smile touching her lips.

“Yes, young people should venture out more. Of course, a lady would never go out alone; she must be accompanied by a young, charming gentleman. That’s more in keeping with the logic of high society, isn’t it?” Avril responded confidently and beautifully.

The Queen nodded with satisfaction, pleased by Avril’s intelligence and understanding.

“Then I, this old woman, shall not trouble you further. You young people seldom care for old fogies like me. Off you go,” the Queen said, having achieved her purpose, and no longer detained her guest.

“Yes, Your Majesty. But if you ever wish to dispel boredom, Avril is always at your call,” Avril rose and performed another elegant curtsy. After receiving a nod from the Queen, she gracefully departed Windsor Castle.

The Queen’s aged yet shrewd eyes watched Avril’s retreating figure with a deep, contemplative gaze, as if lost in thought.

Rishi, standing beside the Queen, watched Avril leave and, seeing the Queen remain silent, cautiously spoke, “Your Majesty, might there be a mistake? From the look of Miss Avril—”

The Queen interrupted, raising a hand to stop Rishi’s words.

“Heh, no matter what, she must follow my script,” the Queen said darkly, glancing once more toward the direction where Avril had disappeared.

---

Yuwen Xi had moved back into that golden cage he thought he would never return to in this lifetime. This was why he had always disliked foreign atmospheres and preferred to stay in China.

“I had no idea you loved this home so much that you rushed back like this,” a teasing male voice rang in his ear as Yuwen Xi stepped into the room.

Without pausing, Yuwen Xi ascended to the second floor of the castle, a simple suitcase in his right hand.

“Your room is the first on the right upstairs. I’ve already had the scoundrel cleaned up. If you’re dissatisfied, you can make changes yourself—no need to consult me,” the man said.

Yuwen Xi halted, turned, and looked at the man with disdain. “You think I’d ask your permission? Don’t flatter yourself,” he retorted, then turned and disappeared up the stairs.

The man watched his retreating figure and laughed proudly to himself.

“Heh, you don’t need to ask me for anything.”

“She should be in the back garden now,” the man suddenly called out, ignoring the curious looks from the servants, and walked off.

Yuwen Xi set down his things and tidied up briefly. Surveying the room, he found it mostly suited his taste and saw no reason to redecorate. After all, he did not imagine staying here long.

---

After settling in, Yuwen Xi did not rush to see the person on his mind. Instead, a strange homesick feeling washed over him.

He walked to the bed alone, gazing out at the endless greenery and the distant, rolling mountains. His mood gradually lifted, no longer weighed down by aversion.

Perhaps it was because she was here, because he had someone to care for—because he now had a reason to stay. Even if this place was hell, it would be sweetened by attachment.

Humans, after all, are creatures of emotion, regardless of gender.

“I thought you’d be eager to see her, but instead, you’re hiding here, moody and melancholy?” The teasing voice sounded again, always so sudden.

Yuwen Xi did not turn to look. The man, clearly displeased by the lack of response, pressed on.

“Maybe you don’t care that much about her. If so, I’m just being sentimental. I’ll quickly send her to someone who does care.”

“Mind your own business,” Yuwen Xi snapped, unable to contain himself. “Since she’s by my side, I won’t let anyone else take her away.” His tone was icy, but the man lounging carelessly by the door only smiled wider.

“But there is something you must understand. Since she lives here now, there is a reason she must stay. In this castle, you may do as you please, but one thing you must remember—she must remain here. You cannot take her away.”

“Do you think you can order me around?” Yuwen Xi sneered.

“Heh,” the man chuckled as if hearing the greatest joke. “Aren’t you already living here on my ‘advice’?”

Yuwen Xi spun around, glaring at him with shame and anger in his eyes.

The man, as if oblivious, immediately wiped the smile off his face, fixed Yuwen Xi with a cold gaze, and said, “If I can bring her here once, I can take her away again. You know my capabilities well enough.” With that, he turned without looking back and left Yuwen Xi’s room.

Yuwen Xi stared after him, his expression unsettled.

---

Huai Villa

“Young Master, there is news of the lady,” Newt burst into Arthur’s study without a hint of ceremony. Charles followed more composedly, stepping in with elegant strides.

Hearing this, Arthur sprang to his feet, unable to hide his excitement. He fixed his gaze on Newt and Charles, forcing himself to remain calm as he asked, “What did you say? Say it again!”

This time Newt held back, and Charles spoke deliberately, “Young Master, you heard correctly.”

“Found her? Really found her? Where is she?” Arthur asked urgently, disbelief still lingering.

The initially cheerful expressions on Charles and Newt’s faces shifted strangely when Arthur asked “Where is she?” Both lowered their heads, hesitant.

Arthur’s light heart suddenly felt as if a heavy stone had been dropped upon it.

“She’s there?” Arthur asked grimly.

“The lady is… at the Wetting household,” Newt stammered.

Arthur’s brow furrowed sharply, his face darkening.

“What’s going on?”

It seemed this matter was far more complicated than imagined. Avril Wetting had just appeared and gotten engaged to him, and then Yingyue vanished. These two events must be connected—perhaps a grand conspiracy was looming over him.

“We haven’t uncovered the details yet, but our spies monitoring the major families report the lady appeared at the Wetting household,” Charles said.

“Any connection to the attack?” Arthur asked.

“Not yet,” Charles continued reluctantly. “And there’s more—”

Charles hesitated, struggling to say it.

Arthur grew impatient, “Just say it. Why the hesitation?”

“Miss Yingyue has amnesia,” Charles blurted out, sensing Arthur’s frustration.

“Amnesia?” Arthur’s confusion deepened, anxiety rising.

How could it be amnesia again?

Why amnesia again?

Who caused her to forget this time? And who does she need to forget?

His intuition told Arthur the target was still him.

Yingyue would forget him again!

No, he would not allow it to happen this time!

Arthur suddenly lunged toward the door but was stopped by Newt and Charles.

“Young Master, where are you going?”

“Let go of me! I’m going to find her!” Arthur shouted, struggling.

“You can’t go now!”

“Why not?!” Arthur glared fiercely at Charles.

“By what authority would you go to the Wetting household?” Charles asked calmly. “Besides, you and Miss Avril are engaged. More importantly, Miss Yingyue’s presence at the Wetting household is a secret. If you rush there, you will only cause unnecessary trouble. Furthermore,” Charles paused, his expression grave, “it will prematurely reveal our hand to others, which is not good for us at all.” In other words, this was a disaster.

Hearing this, Arthur ceased struggling and looked defeated.

Charles and Newt exchanged uncertain glances.

Just then, a phone rang, breaking the heavy atmosphere.

“Hello?” Arthur answered, walking slowly to the desk.

Upon hearing the voice on the other end, the defeated expression vanished, replaced by a sinister, triumphant smile.